Pink with a purpose: Falcons rally around coach in breast cancer fight

It’s become tradition for many high school girls sports teams to wear special pink uniforms during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink jerseys worn by the Atwater High girls volleyball team took on a whole new meaning a few weeks ago when their head coach Lauren Leonardo shared with her players that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

All of sudden, the jerseys weren’t some fashion statement. They weren’t an excuse for cute Instagram selfies or to match with other pink accessories. The uniforms were a way to show love and support for someone they care about. 

 

“It’s a very serious topic,” said Falcons junior Isabella Villa. “Now that we have someone of our own blood going through it, it definitely hits a little harder. We obviously take it seriously and we’re really proud of her. She’s very strong and we’re sticking with her. It’s part of our culture.”

 

It was about two months ago when Leonardo found a lump in her breast. After a month of the lump not going away, she consulted with her doctor. “That's kind of how the process started,” Leonardo said. “We started with just an ultrasound, and then that kind of led to all of the other things. Then I found out about three weeks ago that I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

 

The news obviously floored Leonardo. She then debated about whether to make the news public. She’s not one who seeks the spotlight or wants extra attention. She also didn’t want a “pity party” on her behalf. She ultimately decided to post an update on social media to use her situation as a way to express the importance for women to regularly get checked out. 

 

“I think it's important because I mean I go yearly for all of my things,” she said. “I'm very routine with what I'm supposed to do with the doctor, so I think it's just being aware of your body and listening to when you think something's not right.”

She was also transparent with her players when she found out she was going to have a biopsy. She knew there might be times when she wasn’t going to be at a practice or a game and she wanted her players to know why.

 

“When I first found out that I was going to have a biopsy, I did share with the team because I was scared and vulnerable,” Leonardo said. “I just shared with them at that moment that I was going through a biopsy and what that meant, and what it could mean. Then when I had my follow-up appointment from the biopsy, I actually came here and talked with Carrie first, and then went and popped into the gym, and told my team that I was diagnosed with breast cancer.” 

 

Leanardo says the support she has received has been incredible. “Overwhelmingly great,” she said.The support I've gotten from everybody, my family, my friends, my work, my athletes, my coaches, has been phenomenal. I have a hard time with things being about me. I coach because I love coaching, and I don't ever want it to be centered around me. But in that sense, like everyone has just kind of wrapped their arms around me, and it’s been like whatever you need, we are here, and that's been very nice.”

 

Last week the Atwater High HOSA club hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness event at lunch and then presented Leonardo with gifts and support during her battle with breast cancer. It was an emotional show of support from the large group of students and staff who gathered in front of the old gymnasium. 

 

“As a principal, it is hard to put into words what it means to see your school come together for someone who is part of your family,” said Atwater principal Alexie Parle. “We were so fortunate to have her return to AHS to coach both our boys and girls volleyball teams, and this year, we were even luckier to welcome her to our campus as a teacher. She has become such an important part of our Falcon family, and seeing our students and staff rally around her on Wednesday was incredibly moving.

“One of the things I love most about Atwater High School is that when someone is going through something difficult, our community shows up,” Parle added. “We saw that on Wednesday, and we have seen it in so many ways from our students, staff, and other schools. She is an incredibly strong woman, and we believe in her and are going to be right there beside her through this fight. I hope she knows how deeply she is loved and how many people are pulling for her. We are a family at AHS, we are in her corner, and we will continue to stand with her every step of the way.”

 

The support hasn’t just come from Atwater. Volleyball programs from other MUHSD schools have offered their support. Many schools have sent out messages on social media and taken photos with signs of support for Leonardo. This comes after Atwater High made an emphasis to make this season about more than volleyball when they used their media day as a platform to help raise awareness about adopting pets from shelters, which led to many dogs finding forever homes.

 

“It’s been really nice,” Leonardo said. “It's been really in our heart as a program to be more than just volleyball. We get on the court and we're competitors and we want to win and we're not really friends when we're up against each other. But realizing it’s not just about volleyball and it's not just about winning and losing.”

 

Villa says it’s tough to see her coach have to go through something like this but she’s inspired by her strength and the team has rallied to be there for their coach in any way possible.  “We're all trying to stay strong for her,” Villa said. “We all have bonded together and that’s our culture here at AHS. We come together, lean on one another, and stay strong for the team.”

 

Parle says Leonardo has a school and community on her side. “There is so much love for this coach, and I hope she can feel just how many people are in her corner,” Parle said. “She has an entire volleyball family and community standing beside her, and she will not have to fight this battle alone.”

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.